Welcome to the next level in computer animation. No, it’s not a feature film, it’s your desktop. Core Animation lets Mac developers create applications and experiences as groundbreaking as Spaces and Time Machine, without needing to know esoteric graphics and math techniques.

Order from depth

Creating dynamic scenes can get confusing without a systematic approach. Using Core Animation, Mac developers can create snazzy animations in their programs using different media types, such as text, 2D graphics, OpenGL renderings, and video, simultaneously. Core Animation dynamically renders these media layers together, complete with transparency effects and Core Image filter and effects. When content changes, Core Animation updates it, automatically.

Two heads are better than one

Core Animation takes advantage of the multiple cores in most new Intel-based Macs. When developers use the framework for an application, the process runs in its own thread. On a multi-core Mac, this means the application runs on one core, and Core Animation on the other. Core Animation runs on any Core Image-capable Mac (including most Macs shipped in the past two years).

Bring ideas to life

Let Core Animation take the headache out of animation. Previously, developers had to create a scene and manage movement of individual elements on a frame by frame basis. Core Animation opens up the power of Apple’s graphics technologies and proven interface aesthetics to every developer. Look for whiz-bang visual effects in an upcoming crop of scientific visualization tools, media organizers, and whatever else you can dream of.

All features referenced in the Mac OS X Leopard Sneak Peek are subject to change.